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In this section:
Laurence Reginald Holditch
Laurence Reginald Holditch died Aug. 6. He was born Dec. 27, 1920 in the RM of Morton, Man. to Reginald and Lois Holditch. He married Lois Raine of Boissevain, Man. in 1955 and took over the family farm until 1977. In 1978 they moved to Boissevain where he took care of the shelter belt and weeded the flower beds and planters in town. He was involved with the recycling depot and was treasurer for the Boissevain Food Pantry. He was president of the Beckoning Hills Activity Club. His relationship with God was very important to him and little kept him from church on Sundays. Predeceased by infant daughter Linda Ruth in 1957 and daughter Martha Jane in 1985, 2 brothers, he is mourned by Lois, daughter Joanne; son Gordon; 3 grandchildren; 2 sisters; 1 brother. The funeral was Aug. 10 in Boissevain MB Church with Wayne Eisbrenner ministering.
Arnold Schmidt 
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Arnold Schmidt died Aug. 5. He was born Nov. 23, 1915 to David and Wilhelmina Schmidt in Wymyschle, Poland. At 21 he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour, following the visit of a travelling preacher. The next year he was baptized. He was a farm labourer and worked in a flourmill. He was conscripted into the army in 1944, then became a prisoner of war, first in France and then in England. In England he attended a Baptist Church in Chatham where he received a New Testament. He was freed in Nov. 1947 and stayed in the MCC camp in Gronau, Germany. In 1948 he immigrated to Mission, B.C. He married Hedy Ratzlaff Oct. 10, 1949 in Linden, Alta. They settled in Richmond, B.C. where he worked for Eburne Sawmill. They were hospitable particularly to immigrants coming to Canada. They enjoyed travelling to California, South America, Europe and the Holy Land. He loved the Lord and his faith was evident in his Bible reading and prayers, particularly for his family. Favourite passages were Psalm 23 and John 3:16. A favourite German hymn was “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story.” He longed for his heavenly home. He loved the church and supported many Christian fundraising events. He volunteered at a care home, Pinegrove Place. He shared vegetables from his garden. Predeceased by 4 brothers, 4 sisters, he is mourned by Hedy, daughter Ann Kroeker of Richmond; 2 grandsons; 3 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 11 in Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, with Rudy Willms and Frank Peters ministering.
Mary Stobbe 
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Mary Stobbe died Aug. 4 at age 85. She was born in Russia and came to Canada with her family. She committed her life to the Lord at 14 and was baptized the following year. She took nurses’ training at Misericordia Hospital, Winnipeg 1945–48, worked at Winkler (Man.) Hospital the next year, then went to MB Bible College Winnipeg. She took post-graduate courses in obstetrics, gynaecology, surgery and in 1954 took tropical medicine and lab work courses at Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta. In 1965–66 she took midwifery at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. She felt called by the Lord for full-time missionary work while in nurses’ training and spent the years 1955–85 in Nigeria, West Africa under SIM. She taught religious education and health sciences at a Christian secondary school and was in Benin Republic from 1973–1979. She retired to Abbotsford in 1986, joining Sevenoaks Alliance Church. Her retirement was happy and busy, a “whoop-ti-do.” The funeral was Aug. 10 in Sevenoaks Alliance Church.
Katherine Funk 
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Katherine (Kay) Funk died Aug. 19. She was born Aug. 1, 1923 to Peter and Elizabeth Wolfe in Fuerstenland, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling first in Manitoba and then in Yarrow, B.C. in Feb. 1934. Kay contributed to the family by doing seasonal work and babysitting. She made a commitment to the Lord, was baptized and became a member of Yarrow MB Church. She married Cornelius Funk Mar. 27, 1955. Corney worked for the family business while Kay volunteered in church, MCC and other places. They travelled to Africa, China and the Holy Land. Her life was characterized by service towards others, including looking after her widowed mother, husband Corney when he became ill and brother Bill until he passed away. The song, “Keiner Wird zu Schanden,” based on Psalm 25:3, was very meaningful to her during her last illness. Predeceased by Cornelius, brothers Cornelius, Peter and Bill, she is mourned by sister Helen Kaethler. The funeral was Aug. 26 in Yarrow MB Church with Eldon Fehr, Ike Bergen and Terry Kaethler ministering.
Nicolai J. (Nick) Dick
Nicolai J. (Nick) Dick died May 27. He was born Nov. 10, 1908 on the family estate in southern Russia to Jacob and Agnes Dick. The family immigrated to Canada, settling in Manitoba. He married Anna Schroeder in 1933. They farmed at Elm Creek, Man. In 1963 they moved to Winnipeg, but he continued farming. In 1973 he retired. He came to faith in Jesus Christ at 14 and served the Lord faithfully. Predeceased by 1 brother, 2 sisters, he is mourned by Anna, daughters Eleonore Esau and Anne Neufeld of Winnipeg; Rita Macleod of Anola, Man.; sons Henry of Edmonton and Alf of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 brother; 5 sisters. The funeral was in Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Claude Pratte ministering.
Margaret Vliet
Margaret Vliet (Klassen) died Aug. 20. She was born Apr. 4, 1922 in Pardenau, Russia. Predeceased by husband John, and 1 sister, she is mourned by sons Ervin of Abbotsford and Ken of Ashcroft, B.C.; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, 6 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 24 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Ray Harris ministering.
Henry J. Dick
Henry J. Dick died Aug. 19, 2005. He was born Feb. 12, 1924 in Alexanderkrone, Russia. He was an educator in the private and public school systems in Coaldale, Alta. and Winnipeg, and was involved in the MB Conference, Gideons, MCC and the Gleaners. He took great pride in his family and had a passion for life. Predeceased by 2 sisters and 1 brother, he is mourned by Katherine, his wife of 59 years; daughters Evy Kopp of Surrey, B.C. and Judy Falk of Red Deer, Alta; son Ron of Abbotsford; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 3 brothers. The funeral was Aug. 23 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford with Michael Dick and Ray Harris ministering.
Rudolf Koop 
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Rudolf Koop died Aug. 23 at age 88. His parents were Paul and Lena Koop of Ebental, Ukraine. He married Olga Epp in 1930. In 1941 he was conscripted into the Red Army. When he returned to his village everyone had been deported to Siberia and he believed his family had died. After being released from prisoner of war camp in France, he immigrated to Germany. He found salvation in Jesus and was baptized June 19, 1947. He then immigrated to Canada, settling first in Manitoba and then in B.C. He married Anna Harder Jan. 15, 1949. They had a farm in Abbotsford, growing strawberries, raspberries and raising poultry. After retirement he helped his family with their projects. He went to Benin, West Africa to help daughter Helen and her husband Chris complete a church building. Church was very important to him. He was part of King Rd. MB Church, Abbotsford, from its beginning. He had a deep faith and prayer was important. He is mourned by Anna, daughters Dora Fast; Anne Muller; Kathie Wiebe; Helen Cowie; sons Frank Harder, Rudy, Bernhard Harder; Rudy; Jake; 61 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 27 in King Rd. MB Church with Andrew Dyck, George Baier and Ernst Janzen ministering.
Edward (Ed) Friesen
Edward (Ed) Friesen died Apr. 23. He was born in Elie, Man. in 1933 to Aaron and Catherine Friesen. His father died when Ed was 12. At 16 he was baptized, joining Newton (Man.) MB Church. He married Helen Epp Aug. 6, 1955. He owned and operated a road construction company in Oakville, Man. until 1971. He then moved part of the company to Abbotsford, but commuted between the 2 provinces. He was thankful for his blessings and shared with others. He was adventurous and enjoyed flying, quadding, camping, travelling, playing his guitar and singing with his family. Predeceased by 1 brother and 1 sister, he is mourned by Helen; son Gerry; daughters Darlene Heriot of Abbotsford and Jennifer Boldt of Chilliwack, B.C.; 9 grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was Apr. 28 in Bakerview MB Church with Michael Dick and Ray Harris ministering.
Tiena Bergmann
Tiena Bergman died Aug. 13 at 83. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Predeceased by husband Bill in 2003 and son Garry in 1976, she is mourned by daughters Judy, Grace and Karen; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 17 in Westwood Community Church, Winnipeg.
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